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Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Feeling hot! hot! hot!

A friend recently got back from a first time visit to Walt Disney World – he ended up loosing almost an entire week of his trip because of heat stroke!

I’ve suffered from it once before and was lucky that it only last one day. Unfortunately it cost me my reservation at Mickey’s Backyard BBQ! (I did however gain a sympathy reservation for Hoop De Doo Review!) And now that Florida is making it’s way into the extremely warmer months, it’s going to become more a problem for the ill-prepared guest.

May to early September averages from 88°F to over 92+°F! Storm season June – Sept increases the humidity too, making it just a tad uncomfortable for the ‘Brit’ who gets around 2 weeks of ‘summer’ a year!

Personally, I love the heat, that’s one of the things I go to Florida for. I love stepping out in the early dusk and feeling those first tendrils of heat wash over me, that warm smell in the air. Evenings where I can comfortably be in the pool well past midnight with ice in my drink. I love it! Most people expect it to be hot when they pick Florida as their destination, but many underestimate just how hot it can get! That sticky, clammy, under your shirt and covering your skin kind of hot – it’s not exactly magical!

Just because you feel fine to begin with does not mean your body is not suffering. The miles you walk, the time you spend in queues, or sitting with Dole Whips and people watching, all under those beaming rays of Florida sunshine, if your not careful it will strike you down! The last thing any of us want is to be stuck in the hotel room recuperating when we could be escaping the Yeti on Expedition Everest!

Here are just a few quick and easy tips to help avoid heat stroke!

Electrolyte boost!

Add a little more salt to your holiday diet and drink something like Vitamin Water, Smart Water or Gatorade (all available in Walt Disney World and can be purchased with DDP snack credits). This will help replenish the salt stores in your body. Consider packing some electrolyte sachets, like the ones you add to water when suffering from diarrhea, and use these in your bottled water during the trip for a quick boost.

If you’re a Walt Disney World guest, fill your resort mug with ice before you leave for the day. Once the ice is gone, use your mug to fill up and drink from the numerous water fountains located around the parks – some are colder than others so it’s worth experimenting!

2. Take cover!

Between 11am – 2pm the sun is at its highest point! Take cover as often as possible, taking in more of the indoor (and air conditioned) attractions, such as Innovations at Epcot. Heading for indoor attractions such as Small World, SpaceShip Earth, The Great Movie Ride and Toy Story Mania give you a great break from the sun!

Having a later lunch also means by time you are done with your meal, it’s finally starting to cool down outside!

3. Water, water everywhere and every drop you shall drink!

The average person needs around 8 glasses of water a day – but during activity and being in the sun, you need much more. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to have a drink, keep yourself topped up, sipping constantly throughout the day. If you’re planning on taking on the ‘drink around the world’ Epcot challenge, do so on a cooler day or in the evening. Alcohol + sunshine, even in Disney, do not mix well! If you don’t enjoy plain water, take a few flavoring sachets along with you – it’s cheaper than buying the flavored drinks!

Drink serving locations will give you a free cup of ice if you ask. Perfect for quenching any thirst or letting the kids play with the ice to cool down.

4. Dress cool!

Leave your dark clothes in the suitcase during the day and opt for white and light colored clothing. World of Disney and Tren D at Downtown Disney have a great, varied selection of Disney tops in all imaginable colours for all guests! You could even have a go at creating your own over at Design-a-Tee!

A great trick is to soak a flannel and store it in the in room fridge. Before you head out to the parks, pop it in a zip lock bag. It keeps cold for a good while and is perfect to cool off with. Place on the forehead or across the back of the neck for best results.

Medic!

Know where your first aid stations are located in each park;

MagicKingdom – Next to the CrystalPalace.

Animal Kingdom – Behind Creature Comforts.

Epcot – Odyssey Centre on the bridge between Future World and World showcase.

Hollywood Studios – Guest services.

All are located on your park map, and if you can’t get to a first aid station, notify the first Cast Member you see and they will bring the help to you!